Co-Founder
Jonathan G. Howell, CPA
Jon graduated from Willamette University with a Bachelor's Degree and a triple major in German Language, International Studies and Political Science. During this time he completed a year as an exchange student, studying Economics and German
at Ludwig Maximilian's University, in Munich, Germany. He later earned a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting and a Master's Degree in Taxation from Portland State University.
Jon has extensive experience providing services to employee benefit plans, both administration and audit, franchise restaurants, retailers, professional service companies, medical practitioners, investment real estate, real estate brokers, financial services
companies, and serves as the partner-in-charge of the Firm's Audit and Accounting Practice, which includes audits of privately held businesses, Employee Benefits Plans, and Nonprofit organizations.
Jon has served as Audit partner at local CPA firms in Portland since 1997. In 2020, Jon co-founded Howell Straczek LLC.
Jon is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), licensed in Oregon. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Jon serves on the Oregon Board of Accountancy’s Peer Review Oversight Committee and is an Audit continuing
education instructor for the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants. He also serves on the Budget Committees of the Lake Grove Fire District and the Southwood Park Water District. He is a past adjunct accounting faculty member
of Portland State University’s School of Business where he taught Advanced Accounting: Business Consolidations and Advanced Taxation. He previously served on the AICPA Employee Benefits Technical Resource Panel.
Phone: 503-387-5235
jhowell@howellstraczek.com
Co-Founder
Bart P. Straczek, CPA
Bart has more than twenty years of public accounting experience, serving public and private companies as well as high net worth individuals. He has experience working with a variety of industries including manufacturing, semi-conductor, consumer products,
technology, wholesale distribution, retail, energy, real estate, food processing and restaurant industries. Areas of expertise include business and individual taxation, ASC 740 provision for income taxes and tax financial reporting, accounting
periods and methods, and tax examination support.
Bart has previously worked with large international accounting firms. He started his career with RSM US where he grew to the rank of a Manager. In 2006, Bart joined Deloitte as a Tax Manager and later became a Tax Senior Manager. In 2012, Bart joined
Grant Thornton as a Tax Senior Manager, Portland Tax Practice Leader and in 2014 he was promoted to Managing Director, Portland Tax Practice Leader. In 2017, Bart became a Partner in a local firm of Houck Evarts and Company LLC. In 2020,
Bart co-founded Howell Straczek LLC.
Bart attended DePaul University in Chicago where he earned his degrees of Master of Science in Taxation and Bachelor of Science in Commerce with specialization in Accounting. Bart completed his undergraduate program with honors. He is a Certified Public
Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Phone: 503-387-5235
bstraczek@howellstraczek.com
Administrative and Firm’s Operations Specialist
Ashley P. Van
Ashley graduated from Portland State University in 2022, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and in 2023 her Master of Science in Finance with a certificate in Real Estate Investment and Finance.
During her time at Howell Straczek LLC, Ashley will provide client-focused administrative support, manage the firm’s internal accounting, coordinate schedules, handle correspondence, and maintain records to ensure smooth operations. As a reliable point of contact, she helps streamline communication and enhance the client experience with professionalism and attention to detail. Her goal is to support the team and clients with responsive, organized service that builds trust and efficiency.
Ashley is looking forward to working alongside and learning from the experienced and knowledgeable staff at Howell Straczek LLC.
Phone: 503-387-5235
avan@howellstraczek.com
Tax & Accounting Associate
Omar Manzano Gutierrez
Omar Manzano Gutiérrez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Accounting degree from Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, a Master of Science in Finance with a specialization in Financial Accounting from Panamerican University, and a Master of Business Administration from Portland State University.
Prior to joining the firm, he spent three years in the telecommunications and oil & gas sectors, serving in various roles including financial reporting, analysis, and internal accounting. He is experienced in US GAAP, Mexican GAAP, and IFRS, with a strong background in financial statement preparation, budgeting, fixed-asset analysis, accounts payable, and month-end reconciliations.
Omar has passed all four sections of the CPA Exam and is now focused on building his technical foundation through tax preparation, financial statement compilations, and employee benefit plan audits.
Phone: 503-387-5235
omanzano@howellstraczek.com
Senior Tax & Accounting Associate
Taylor M. Lotten, CPA
Taylor graduated from Portland State University in 2020, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a double major in Accounting and Human Resource Management.
During her time at Howell Straczek LLC, Taylor is focusing her efforts on working directly with clients, preparing individual, partnership, c-corporation and s-corporation income tax returns, as well as assisting with financial statement compilation and reviews.
Taylor is looking forward to working alongside and learning from the experienced and knowledgeable staff at Howell Straczek LLC.
Phone: 503-387-5235
tlotten@howellstraczek.com
Tax & Accounting Associate
Qiqi Ma
Qiqi graduated from University of Oregon in 2023 with her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and went on to earn her Master of Accounting degree in 2024.
Following her graduation, Qiqi joined Howell Straczek LLC, where she works directly with clients to prepare individual, partnership, c-corporation, and s-corporation income tax returns. She is also assisting with financial statement compilations and employee benefit plan audits.
She is excited to learn from experienced team members and looking forward to contributing to the continued success of the team at Howell Straczek LLC.
Phone: 503-387-5235
qma@howellstraczek.com
Senior Tax & Accounting Associate
Benjamin T. Curtis, CPA
Ben graduated from The University of Texas at Tyler where he obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 2014, and his Master of Accountancy in 2015
Ben began his accounting career working at a local CPA firm in Tyler, Texas during his freshman year of college in 2010. He worked 5 years as a staff accountant providing client services before transitioning to tax preparation. Ben has experience working directly with clients, preparing individual, partnership, c-corporation and s-corporation income tax returns.
Ben became a Certified Public Accountant in 2021 and is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Phone: 503-387-5235
bcurtis@howellstraczek.com
Tax and Accounting Manager
John W. Rear
John is a Certified Public Accountant with over eight years of experience providing tax, accounting, and advisory services to individuals and closely held businesses. His background includes preparing and reviewing individual, partnership, S-corporation, and C-corporation income tax returns, as well as supporting audit, review, and compilation engagements.
John began his career in banking before transitioning into public accounting, where he has progressed from staff accountant to a supervisory role. He works closely with clients on budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and year-end planning, and is known for leveraging technology to streamline accounting processes and improve internal controls.
John is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Illinois CPA Society, and the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Phone: 503-387-5235
jrear@howellstraczek.com
